Message of Abbot Paul - Wednesday 8th March 2023
Abbot Paul • March 8, 2023
You might remember that in September I visited our monastery in Peru for the Canonical Visitation. It was my first visit since February 2020. Six months after a visitation, it’s customary to revisit a monastery to see whether advice given has been acted on and things are improving. Yesterday I held the first of a few days interviewing the monks from the superior down to the last postulant. Even a good, well-run monastery can make improvements to strengthen its monastic observance and bonds of charity among the brethren. We’re in late Summer now and it was a particularly hot day, not to sort of day you want to be cooped up inside carrying out interviews. A visit to a nearby beach would have been a more pleasant option! On the other hand, in the north, where we first lived, they had torrential rains caused by the Niño.
Our Gospel passage today comes from Matthew, (Mt 20: 17-28), in which we find Jesus and his disciples making their way to Jerusalem for what would be their last visit. He tells them of his forthcoming arrest, condemnation, crucifixion and brutal death and how on the third day he will rise again. You would think that this alone would give them enough to think about, but no, two of them had other things on their minds. It’s the mother of Zebedee’s sons who comes forward with a request. “Promise that these two sons of mine may sit one at your right hand and the other at your left in the kingdom of heaven.” Jesus’ reply is direct and to the point. “You don’t know what you’re asking for.” He addresses the brothers. “Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?” When they answer, “We can,” he replies, “Drink it you will, but a place at my right hand and at my left is only my Father’s to give. The others are indignant, but Jesus insists that theirs is a vocation to service carried out with humility and that the first among them must be as a salve or a servant. He reminds them that, “the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Their own vocation can be no different and that goes for all his disciples, including you and me.
Bishop Mark Jabalé OSB Bishop Mark died peacefully on 9th May. He served this community well for many years, not least Abbot of the Community and before that Headmaster of the School. He was then asked to serve the wider church as Bishop of Menevia. May he know eternal happiness with God whom he served. Please pray for the eternal happiness of Rt. Rev. Dom Mark Jabalé 10th Bishop of Menevia 10th Abbot of Belmont who died 9th May 2025 in the 92nd year of his age, the 73rd year of his monastic life and the 67th year of his priesthood. May he rest in peace
A homily by Abbot Brendan at a special Easter Mass for Pope Francis, attended by Catholics from across the Deanery.
Pope Francis RIP Pope 2013-2025 Born 1936, Died 2025 We are deeply saddened at the passing of Pope Francis. As the successor of St Peter he has been a spiritual father and shepherd to the church in our day, challenging us, and calling as to reach out to those on the peripheries. He was the first Jesuit Pope, but took the name Francis after the Poor Man of Assisi who modelled for him a closeness to the poor, a concern for those on the margins of society and a care for all of creation In his preaching Pope Francis always spoke of the joy of the Gospel and encouraged us to reflect the joy of our faith in our lives. He showed the compassion of Jesus to everyone. He worked tirelessly for the unity of the church and travelled even to non-Christian countries promoting a message of peace. He has left a great legacy. With the presence of the Apostolic Nuncio with the community over Easter we were able to express our closeness to the Holy Father in his final suffering. There will be a special Mass at Belmont this Thursday 24th April at 11am to pray for Pope Francis as he makes his final journey to the house of the Father. On the day of his funeral, the Office of the Dead will be sung, and Mass that day will be a Requiem. May the angels lead him into paradise; may the martyrs receive him at his arrival and lead him to the holy city Jerusalem. May choirs of angels receive him and with Lazarus, the poor man grant him eternal rest." (The In Paradisum, words from the Funeral Liturgy)
We were were honoured and delighted to be joined by the Apostolic Nuncio to celebrate Easter. His Excellency Archbishop Miguel Maury Buendía is the representative of the Holy See in Great Britain, and therefore of the Holy Father. His presence on Easter Sunday morning brought us more consciously in communion with Pope Francis, the successor of St Peter, as we heard the Gospel story of Peter running to the tomb. His patron saint is St Michael, so afterwards, at a festive lunch we were able to present him with some Belmont cufflinks with the monastery coat of arms - very similar to his as Archbishop. We were able to pray for him and his work in this country.
